Protective head gear with sensors

ABSTRACT

A head gear device is provided which includes at least one sensor attached to a user&#39;s helmet to detect objects around and about a user of the head gear device to avoid impact. Each sensor may be attached or embedded in the helmet and may be wirelessly connected to device (such as cell phone, cloud, etc) to collect data regarding the activity around the user.

BACKGROUND

In general, there is an inherent risk in skiing and snowboarding as the conditions, obstacles including other skiers will challenge your skills. While helmets have proven to help reduce head injuries, they do impede your vision and hearings to be aware of oncoming skiers. One has to continually look around while focusing on terrain to be aware of the surrounding skiers and snowboarders.

In addition to skiers there are other sports that require helmet which impede one's awareness of surrounding objects and people, such as race car drivers, hockey, football, etc. Aside from the obvious human cost of having a person deal with a serious injury and post-effects from a collision that may have been avoidable to at least the severity reduced if the person was aware of the oncoming dangers, there is also a business and financial cost associated with such an injury to the person and the establishment hosting the activities in addition to negative publicity.

SUMMARY

The devices, methods, products, and implementations described herein mitigate an injury by bringing awareness to the person of their surrounding environment and potential avoidance of an oncoming impact and injury.

In some embodiments, a head sensor device is provided. The head sensor device includes a helmet adapted to be worn by a user, at least one sensor to identify and warn the user of a potential impact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a smart helmet device.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a smart helmet device.

FIG. 3 shows a back view of a smart helmet device.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of a smart helmet device.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of a smart helmet device.

FIG. 5A shows an exploded view portion of a smart helmet of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a smart helmet device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are head gears, devices, methods, and various implementations, including a head gear device that includes a helmet adapted to be worn by a user, at least one sensor and an audio or visual device to warn the user of an oncoming object, obstacle or person. Such sensor system will measure one or more of direction, speed, and/or location in relevance to user of oncoming object or person. The sensor system would detect the motion and provide a signal to the user so that the user would be able to identify the location and the relative relation of the object to the user such as which side the object is approaching, how close and how fast to avoid contact or collision. The sensor system parts may be embedded into the helmet or attached onto the surface of the helmet itself.

A sensor system may be configured to identify do any or all of the following to change of status, transmit that change in status, and receive input, process that input, transit that input and generate a signal based on that input and/or change in status (e.g., an electrical or electromagnetic signal, light indicator signal or sound indicator signal). A sensor system may include various components or elements to accomplish any or all of the above functions such as a sensor, a processor, a receiver, a transmitter, a signal device or combinations thereof. Sensor system may be interchanged used to refer to individual components/elements as listed above or all of these elements/components. In some embodiments, a sensor system may simply include a sensor to detect the obstacle by detecting a change in status quo and a signal to warn the user of the obstacle. In other embodiments, a sensor system may include a sensor to identify an obstacle and only a transmitter to transmit that change in status to an external data collection or processing device, or transmit to a signal in addition. In some embodiments, a sensor system may include a sensor which may be configured to be in electrical communication with another sensor or processor such that the sensors can communicate between each other for more accurate warns through a signal to the user or the processor may gather all feedback from the various sensors to determine the best means of warning the user based on logic in the processor. Various combination of sensors may be used such as an IR sensor, motion detector, temperature detector or other location or parameter based device sensor which purely sense the change in conditions or reads the current conditions continually, in a pulsing fashion or at specific increments. Some information can be gathered locally and transmitted to a portable device, central computer, cloud, or database location to collect information from the sensor and analyze the data.

With reference to FIG. 1-6, a diagram of a smart helmet or head gear device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 is shown respectively. The head gear device includes a helmet structured to be worn by a user. The head gear device is a helmet that is used for various sports such as skiing, snowboarding, race car driving or motorcycle driving. FIG. 1 shows headgear device 100 including a shell 120 with an external surface 122, an internal surface 123 of the shell 120 and an interior padding 124 which is secured to the internal surface 123 of the shell 120, and a fastener 125 to secure the device 100 to the user. FIG. 4 shows the interior padding 424 adjacent to the internal surface 423 and the slight space 426 located between both surfaces 423, 424 which can house sensor system or other equipment associated with the sensor, transmitter, signal device, receiver and/or power supplier source. Sensor system 110, 210, 310, 410 and 510 may be located at various locations on the helmet. The sensor systems may be include separate and individual components such as a separate sensor, transmitter, receiver, processor, and signal or a single component which includes all of the separate components and their functions into a single device. The sensor system may be a single point location at various locations about the helmet or external thereof or a bar which wraps around all or a portion of the helmet. It is also contemplated that the material of the helmet may act as a receiver, transmitter or signal device. The sensor system itself or individual elements or components may be various shapes such as an elongated bar, rectangle, circle, oval, square, or 3-D shaped such as a semi-sphere. The sensor system may be exposed on the outer-shell of the helmet or may be embedded 350 in the material of the helmet or inner internal to the outer shell so as not to show on the external surface of the helmet but still effectively detecting objects, temperature, or other parameters desired of detection.

The sensor system 110, 210, 310, 410 may be embedded in the shell 120, 220, 320, 420 or may be secured to the shell at its inner surface or exterior surface. For example, the one or more sensors may be secured to the shell, e.g., through adhesives, magnetic attachment, overmolding, pressure fitting the sensors into slots defined in the shell, attaching the sensors to the shell using screws or some other fastening mechanism, and/or embedding the one or more sensor system components into the shell so that the sensor system components, or at least one or some of them, are not visible. Furthermore, in some embodiments, at least one of the sensor system components may be positioned remotely from the head gear, e.g., a sensor worn on the user's external apparel, foot gear (such as a ski boots, ice skates, running shoes), or elsewhere on the user's equipment. The one or more sensors that are configured to detect motion undertaken by and/or forces applied to the shell may include, in some implementations, one or more of, for example, an inertia sensor, a contact sensor, a pressure/force sensor, an accelerometric sensor (i.e., an accelerometer), a proximity sensor, a motion sensor capable of determining the direction of motion, etc. Although FIG. 1 depicts five (5) sensor system 110 coupled to the shell of the head gear device, fewer or more sensor system components may be used.

FIG. 5 shows a smart helmet 500 including a sensor systems 510 which include separate and distinctly functioning individual elements or components such as a sensor 515, transmitter 511, a signal 512, a receiver/processor 513 and a power supply 514.

Each sensor system is capable of sensing, receiving, processing and transmitting an input to create a signal depending on the information gathered. The sensor system will detect the objects around the individual wearing the smart helmet. The sensor system may be adjusted to only send alerts/signal to the individual based on a specific size, speed, location around the smart helmet to eliminate alerting individual of objects which are not a threat. For example, with regards to skiing, the smart helmet can be adjusted to only send a signal to the skier of actual threats such as other skiers approaching from behind or to the side of the individual but it will not send alerts or signals to the individual with regards to stationary objects that are not a threat to the skier such as trees located around the skier or snow around the skier. Similarly, if the helmet is for racing cars, then the wall or other objects located on or around the race track will be distinguished from approaching cars around the race car driver with the smart helmet. A signal that may be sent to the individual to warn them of approaching people, objects and/or obstacles. The signal may provide directional identification so that the individual will know the location of the approaching object such as from the back, right, left, blind spot, etc. The signal may be different sounds or lights for each specific location around the smart helmet to allow the user to easily and quickly determine which direction and speed the object is approaching. For example, the closer the object approaches the increase in the number of pinging of the alarm noise is sounded or a higher pitch is heard. If the object is approaching from the back left then a sound may be produced from the back left side of the helmet or simply by the left ear of the user. The closer the object to the user the faster the pinging noise or the louder the sound signal. Alternatively, a light may slowly light up or may flash on the left side of the helmet but in the peripheral view of the user's left eye. The light may intensify as the object approaches closer to the user and dim as the object falls further away. Also contemplated is a sensory signal which is a low energy sensation which may be a warming effect, or vibration effect or some other physical effect that the user feels to indicate proximate location and speed of such approaching or oncoming obstacle.

In addition, to detecting objects, people around the person in the smart helmet, it is anticipated that there could be warning of upcoming obstacles, objects or people to provide an advance warning system that could be received from a location device which is feeding information to the helmet transmitters to warn the person in the helmet of potentially upcoming changes or potential dangers.

In another embodiment, the senor system including a signal component may be retrofit to a helmet by allow for an attachment means for each senor to the external portion of the helmet or internal structure of the helmet.

It is contemplated that the sensor system and signal output/input devices are powered by a power source such as a battery, rechargeable battery, solar, and similar as known in the industry. Solar means may include a solar panel built into the helmet shell or attached thereto Attachment means for the various equipment such as sensors, processor, signal, transmitters, receivers, power source, data collectors, etc. may include adhesives, magnetic attachment, overmolding, pressure fitting the sensor component into slots defined in the shell, attaching the sensors to the shell using screws or some other fastening mechanism, and/or embedding into the molding material of the helmet shell so that they are not visible.

In some embodiments, the controller 340 depicted schematically in FIG. 3, may be implemented using a processor-based device. Such a processor-based device can receive control input data (e.g., data representative of location and/or number of oncoming objects/people). The processor-based device may include a computer and/or other types of processor-based devices suitable for multiple applications. Such devices may include volatile and non-volatile memory elements, and peripheral devices to enable input/output functionality. Such peripheral devices include, for example, a CD-ROM drive and/or flash drive, or a network connection, e.g., implemented using a USB port or using a WiFi or other wireless transceiver, for downloading related content. Such peripheral devices may, for example, be used for downloading software to upgrade the sensors and/or for collecting data to evaluate. Information gathered may be stored remotely or on local devices.

To provide for interaction with a user, in some embodiments, the controller may be coupled to a display device (e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor) for displaying information to the user, and a keyboard and/or a pointing device (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user may provide input to the computer. Such interactive devices may be located remotely from the controller and may be used to configure the controller as needed or desired by operators (e.g., a technician). Other kinds of devices may be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user may be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. The controller may be the user's smart phone. The user would be able to adjust sensitivity of the sensors, run updates, turn on/off each sensor, change the output signal/warning sounds, light, and vibration to the user, and adjusting other features of the smart helmet.

In some embodiments, the controller may be coupled to the headgear device (e.g., it may be secured to the shell of the head gear device, or embedded into the shell). Additionally and/or alternatively, in some embodiments, the controller may be located remotely from head gear device. For example, the controller may be secured to the uniform of the user, or may be located remotely from the user him/herself. Where the controller is located remotely from the head gear device, the head gear device may also include a communication module, such as a transceiver, to transmit wireless or wired data to the controller for further processing of the data (e.g., data representative of detected forces and/or motion). The remotely located controller may then transmit back to the transceiver of the head gear device resultant signals.

A number of implementations of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A smart helmet comprising a helmet and a sensor system embedded in said helmet, wherein said sensor system includes at least one sensor to detect objects around said helmet to alert a user of said helmet.
 2. A smart helmet comprising a helmet and a sensor system attach to an external surface of said helmet, wherein said sensor system includes at least one sensor to detect objects around said helmet to alert a user of said helmet.
 3. The smart helmet of claim 1 wherein the helmet further comprises at least one transmitter to transmit information from the at least one sensor to a remote device.
 4. The smart helmet of claim 1 wherein the helmet further comprises at least one receiver to receive information from a remote device to the at least one sensor.
 5. The smart helmet of claim 1 wherein the helmet further comprises at least one signal device to alert a user of an object or person around said user.
 6. The smart helmet of claim 1 wherein the helmet further comprises at least one signal device to alert a user of an object or person around said user.
 7. The smart helmet of claim 7 wherein said at least one signal includes a sound signal, a visual signal, a sensory signal or combinations thereof.
 8. The smart helmet of claim 1 wherein the helmet further comprises plurality of sensors and at least one signal device.
 9. The smart helmet of claim 1 wherein the helmet further comprises at least one transmitter to transmit information from the at least one sensor to a remote device.
 10. The smart helmet of claim 2 wherein the helmet further comprises at least one receiver to receive information from a remote device to the at least one sensor.
 11. The smart helmet of claim 2 wherein the helmet further comprises at least one signal device to alert a user of an object or person around said user.
 12. The smart helmet of claim 2 wherein the helmet further comprises at least one signal device to alert a user of an object or person around said user.
 13. The smart helmet of claim 12 wherein said at least one signal includes a sound signal, a visual signal, a sensory signal or combinations thereof.
 14. The smart helmet of claim 2 wherein the helmet further comprises plurality of sensors and at least one signal device.
 15. A smart helmet comprising a helmet and a sensor system embedded in said helmet, wherein said sensor system includes at least one sensor to detect a status change due to an object around said helmet, a transmitter to transmit the status change of the at least one sensor, a receiver to accept the status change from the transmitter, a processor to process the status change from the receiver and transmit a warning action and a signal device to receive the warning action and implement said warning action to warn the user of a potential danger. 